How Physiotherapy Can Help Women's Health Issues

Women's health encompasses a broad spectrum of issues that can be treated by physiotherapy. From pregnancy back pain to incontinence problems faced by older women, physiotherapy can help.

Bladder incontinence is a problem for 13 million Americans on any given day. Although some men have this problem, it is present in much greater numbers in the area of women's health.

There are several different kinds of incontinence. Stress incontinence happens mainly when the person coughs or sneezes. Urge incontinence causes the person to have sudden urges to use the restroom. This may be due to organ prolapse, such as a tilted uterus, which can also lead to sexual dysfunction. Women's health physiotherapy may well be able to help correct these conditions.


Physiotherapists who work in the field of women's health can correct nearly 70% of incontinence problems. The major exercise used is called the Kegel. It is a very specialized exercise, and most often needs specialized instructions, and it takes biofeedback for many to get it right.

Many of the problems of women's health can be traced to the pelvic floor. The Kegel exercise specifically addresses this part of the anatomy. There are other therapies that are effective as well. Electrical stimulation is only one of the methods used. Soft tissue manipulation is another treatment that has had good results.

Pelvic pain affects the health and well-being of many women. It may be caused by a variety of sources. It can be due to vulvodynia or abdominal surgeries, for instance. Pelvic pain can also be the result of a fall, especially if the tailbone has been damaged. These conditions can cause long term curtailment of many physical activities lead to an overall deterioration in the women's psychological health. Physiotherapy offers a variety of treatments to help these problems.

Another very important area where physiotherapy plays an important role in women's health is during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant are aware of their bodies going through various changes that can be painful. Lower back pain is only one of them.

Physiotherapists can help with this. Gentle exercises can be taught to relieve tension in the back. One simple but very effective exercise is lying on the floor with the knees up and pressing the small of the back down to the floor. This gives a great feeling of relief. There are other exercises to strengthen the woman's back. However, it is important to be under a physiotherapist’s specific instructions and watchful eye to ensure the exercises are the right one for the different stages and discomforts of pregnancy. Women's health is of utmost importance at this time, and so is the baby's.

Physiotherapists can give instructions on the exact amount, type and quality of exercises that are best for pregnant women. After delivery, physiotherapy is also a boon to women's health. It can help get women back into shape and instruct them in taking care of their new child while preventing back problems. Furthermore, another area of postpartum women's health where physiotherapy can be very effective is the treatment of women who have had cesarean sections.

Physiotherapy is important to women's health as women suffer from a host of physical disorders. Many of these conditions will respond to physiotherapy. It is only natural that women would turn to a tried and true method for relief.